Corinthians 2nds v Elmwood Sports
0 (0) v 2 (2)
17/09/11
League
Preseason is over lads, just in case some of you were still thinking teams will roll over for us. In every game onwards the opponent has a point to prove.
This is not a great way to start the league challenge lads; we seemed to give up the game before the 20th minute. Then like the wolf in the 3 little pigs, we huffed and puffed but never really threatened the Elmwood goal. This was due to several aspects of our game being below par. We weren’t creative enough, our passing was sloppy and we played far too deep and separated as a team. We starved our wide players and our hole player so looked second best.
Everyone needs to know hat Elmwood was a difficult start to the season, the were last years cup winners and should of won the league but ended second due to lots of double headers, they were no mugs and full of confidence. This isn’t an excuse or room for one as we were far below par and looked off the boil for most of the game. We needed to slow the game down and use the ball a lot better but as we progressed through the game we never really looked too confident in the attack.
Some good points arose though, the defence looked solid, and the attitude in the second half was good. To the bystander it didn’t look like or feel like we were the team losing but we lost two early goals; a penalty (1min) and a wonder goal (18th min) and that was the only difference. So by the 20th minute we lost the game. Elmwood started very brightly in the first half and we were 2 down and we lacked creativity and desire to force the game into the opponents half.
Focusing on the second half when we went 4-4-2 we improved and for the large share of the half were encamped in the opponent’s half, it was a complete role reversal. This might mean the strong wind was a determining factor or that we started to raise our game but it wasn’t till we were coming off the pitch the penny dropped for a lot of people, we have to start the game like our second half performance, start like how we mean to go on, we need to go for the throat or what will happen is we will get ‘mugged off’ with opponents getting a little insurance, such as an early goal, and playing deep like Elmwood today.
So the first game is over and for many of you and some of you have learned its going to take effort and balls to win in the league, I still maintain if we play close to our level we should fear no one in this league. We have the personnel to push towards the top we just need to make sure the attitude remains positive and the team unite, so we look like a team that’s played together for as long as Elmwood rather than one that’s been thrown together ands is completely untried at this current level.
We now have a week off to lick our wounds and we come back to a cup game at home to B.K.S Sports. I’m sure we will bounce directly back but some guys need to prove they are in for the battle as well as the beauty of our game. We won’t always play wonderfully, we always will play with heart, passion and desire or our opponents will smell the weakness and punish us again with their spoiler tactics.
The way I saw it
Name
Rating
Comment
Brad
7
No chance with either goal, otherwise solid.
Nana
6
Did nothing wrong but couldn’t affect the attacking side of our game
Neil
7
Solid for your first game. A little late with a couple of challenges.
Ed
7
Solid like normal
Loui M
7
Starved of the ball, but looked better when higher on the pitch
Adam H
7
Solid in the tackle, a little late for a couple but shielded defence well
Ant K
8
Looked our best player, simply put was our best on the day.
Matt W
7
Tried hard in the first half, got caught for the second goal, effort was good.
Simon p
6
Pace was lacking a little in a forward position, looked leggy in the second half.
Loui R
7
Isolated and all the half chances went against you.
Adam S
6
Starved of the ball in the first half, frustration got the better of you
Subs
Dan
7
Solid effort kept it simple in possession
Sherm
7
Looked a threat going forward and solid in the tackle
Simon B
7
Bright entrance to the game and looked as if you could affect the result.
